Adjustable collar for bowl covers



March 31, 1953 c; H. THOMPSON ADJUSTABLE COLLAR FOR BOWL COVERS Filed Dec. 50, 1947 INVENTOR. CLAUDE H. THOMPSON,

side of the bowl.

Patented Mar. 31, 1953 UNITED STATES P'rs'r -oFFIc ADJUSTABLE COLLARHFOR BOWL COVERS Claude H. Thompson, Binghamton, N. Y. Application December 30, 1947, Serial No. 794,632 4 Claims. (01. 24 25e) 1 Y Thisinvention relates to improvements in adjustable'collars for bowl covers, and more particularly to an improved adjustable collar for securing'a sheet of coveringmaterial such as wax paper over the top of a bowl.

It has been common practice to provide some form of covering means for open food bowls to prevent contamination of their contents, and especially where such bowls of foods are kept in a refrigerator, for example, to prevent the bowl contents from absorbing the odors of similarly stored foods. An early form of bowl cover was that provided by a sheet of paper, usually wax paper, placed over the bowl top and secured as by a cord or elastic band passed around the While having the advantage that the paper cover could be discarded after each use, obviously sucha bowl cover was difiicult and bothersome to apply. A more recent "type of bowl cover consists of a round sheet of provide an efiective yet simple and readily adjustable collar for securing a sheet of disposable material such as'wax paper over the top oi a food bowl for the purpose of protecting the contents thereof- A further object of the invention is to'provide an adjustable collar'for a bowl cover which may be readily positioned on a bowl and which incorporates means for positively retain- :ing the collar on the bowl. Yet anotherobject of the invention is the provision of an adjustable collar adapted to be positioned around the trim of a bowl for the purpose of retaining a sheet vof covering material over the open top thereof,

which can be readily adjusted to the size of the bowl, and which further incorporates an improved and simplified means for securing the collar in the size to which it has been adjusted.

, Other objects and advantages will be in part apparent and in part pointed out in the following description'o'f various forms of adjustable collars for bowl covers according to the invention, taken with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, inwhich Fig. 1 is a perspective view'of an adjustable collar according to the invention illustrating its use and manner of mounting on a food bowl;

7 Fig. 2 is an underneath plan view of the adjustable collar illustrated in Fig. l; v

Fig. 3 is a sectiontaken on line3-3 of Fig. 1 illustrating in sectional view a preferred form of frictionmeans for securing the collar in the size to which it has been adjusted;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of friction securing means;

Fig. 5 is a section taken along line -5-5 of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another form of friction securing means according to the invention; and

i Fig. ,7 is a section taken on line 1-? of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views, Fig. 1 illustrates generally an ordinary food bowl 8 having a sheet of disposable material 9, such as wax paper, secured as a cover over the open top thereof by an adjustable collar according to the present invention.

The collar comprises a strip ID of flexiblematerial which may be'plasti spring metal, or the like, whose ends are lapped whereby the strip forms a circular collar corresponding to the circular shape of the bowl 8. The ends of thestrip are maintained in theirv lapped relation by retaining clips or members i 1, E2, to be hereinafter referred to as retainers, of which the retainer H is secured particularly by a stamped-in attaching prong to the outer end of the strip and extends about the inner or underlying end portion of the strip, and the retainer I2 is similarly secured to the inner end of the strip and extends about the outer or overlying end portion of the strip. Intermediate its ends the strip is provided with a third retainer I3 which is substantially spaced from the end retainers H, l2.

All said retainers are constituted by a body portion [5 in the form of a vertically elongated, closed-bottom loop, the outer side or leg of which has an angled extension 16 forming a horizontal tab which, by reference to Fig.3, extends inwardly over the upper end of the loop so as to efiectively close its open end. As seen in Fig. 1, the tabs [6 are also adapted to engage and rest on the upper edge or rim of the bowl 8 and hence they serve the additional important functions of properly locating the collar on, as well as preventing it from slipping oif, the bowl in use. As generally indicated in Fig. 3, the legs of each of the flattened loops of the end retainers ll, 12 are spaced from one another a distance corresponding to the thickness of the lapped ends of the strip plus slight clearance, and the depth of the loops of each loop is slightly greater than the depth of the strip. Accordingly, the loop-form body portions of the end retainers provide retaining and slide channels in which the lapped ends of the strip may slide relatively to each other, and hence the collar may be simply adjusted by varying the length of overlap of outer on inner end of the strip. It will be observed also that since the end retainers cannot move past one another, they also function to prevent separation of the ends of the strip, and accordingly it is at all times maintained as a. full circular collar.

Inasmuch as the intermediate retainer l3v is not designed to secure a lapped portion of the strip, the spacing between the legs of its loopform body is substantially that of one thickness of the strip, and it may be secured to the strip as by a struck-in prong, riveting, cementing or the like.

To secure to the collar in the size to which it has been adjusted, I provide a simple yet effective form of friction means capable of securing the lapped ends of the strip with frictional engagement. One such means is illustrated in Fig. 3 and is shown to consist of a short length of rubber tubing IB encircling the inner or free leg of the outer-end retainer ll. Preferably, the tubing has initial diameter such that when threaded on said leg it assumes a somewhat oval shape and has a natural tendency to return to round shape. Accordingly, when properly positioned, the tubing acts as a loose friction brake against the inner face of the underlying end por tion of the strip, exerting sufiicient friction thereon as to maintain the collar in the size to which it has been adjusted, while at the same time permitting adjustment of the collar without undue difiiculty. Although wear of the rubber tubing is very slight, replacement thereof may be readily effected when necessary as by simply bending the free end of the tab i 6 associated with the retainer in upward direction, substituting a new length of rubber tubing, and finally bending the tab back to its horizontal position.

To facilitate adjustment of the collar against the frictionholding or braking effect of the rubber tubing It, the end retainers may each be formed with a turned-out car on the outer leg of its loop-form body portion. It will be observed that the ear Ha of the end retainer H extends from one side edge of its outer leg, and the ear [2a of the end retainer l2 extends from the opposite or removed side edge of its outer leg. Said ears permit easier finger-tip drawing apart or together of said retainers in the adjustment of the collar to the diameter of a bowl, dish, platter, bottle jar, et cetera, on which the collar is to be applied. The ears also aid in identifying the two end retainers which are to be actuated in the adjusting operation, and prevent marring of finger-nails as might occur if the finger-nail is employed to force the retainers towards or away from one another.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 illustrating a modifled form of friction means for securing the collar in adjusted position, the outer leg of the outer-end retainer designated 2| is formed with outwardly projecting ears 22, 22a which mount a pin 23 on which a cam 24 is adapted to pivot. Said outer leg is also provided with a window or opening 25 through which the nose of the cam may operate, and with in-bent attaching prongs 26, 28a adjacent the window, which latter may be struck from the leg material cut away to form the window for securing the retainer to the strip. In the dotted-line position of the cam, the nose thereof is out of engagement wtih the surface of the outer end of the strip exposed through the window, and accordingly the lapped ends of the strip may slide relatively to each other. However, when the cam is swung to its full line position, the nose thereof is projected through the window and bears with substantial pressure against the exposed face of the strip outer end, forcing the same into tight frictional engagement with the under portion of the strip, which is rigidly backed by the bowl to which the collar is applied and thereby frictional securing the lapped ends in the position to which they have been adjusted.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, illustrating another form of friction braking Q1: securingmeans, the outer-end retainer designated 3!, as in the case of the retainer illustrated in Fi s. 4. and 5, is provided with outwardly projecting ears 32, 320i, and with a window or opening 33 in the outer leg of the loop-form body of the retainer. The ears are pierced to provide aligned p nings 34, 34a of stepped depth for the reception of a wed member 35 having a contact point 35 form d on its inner edge. When, the wedge member 35 is in full line position (Fig. 6), its contact point is forced through the window 33 and engages against the exposed face of the outer end of the strip, and thereby frictionally holds said outer end and the underlying portion of the strip inner end against the bowl to which the collar is applied. When it is desired to adjust the diameter of the collar, the wedge member is moved to its dotted line position, such resulting in the contact point 36. moving out of the retainer Window 33 and the release of the lapped ends of the strip for such adjustment as may be desired.

In the use of an adjustable collar as described for securing a cover over the top of an open bowl, a sheet of suitable covering material such as wax paper is placed over the open bowl top, and thereupon the collar, following rou h adjustinent thereof to approximate bowl size, is placed over the bowl and moved downwardly until the supporting tabs It engage the rim of the bowl. Thereupon the collar is adjusted to snugly fit the exterior of the bowl and, in so doing, it causes the wax paper to conform to the circular. shape thereof. Inasmuch. as the paper cover is gripped between the tabs i6 and the upper-rim or edge of the bowl, it is securely held in covering relation over the open top thereof. The tabs it serve the further important function of preventing the collar from slipping downwardly off the bowl after it has been applied thereto.

Without further analysis, it will be appreciated that an adjustable collar as described provides a simple yet effective means for securin a sheet of wax paper or similar covering material over the open top of a bowl. Due to the unique construction of end retainers and the friction means for securing the collar adjusted to the size of the bowl, the size of the collar is easily adjustable to an extremely large range f bowl sizes, with the adjustment being effected merely by causing the lapped ends of the strip making up the collar to slide relatively on one another. An adjustable collar as described also incorporates simple yet effective means for securing itself to the bowl when once applied and thus precludes any possibility of the cover being unloosened or the collar itself falling away from the bowl.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An adjustable collar for bowl covers comprising an elongate strip of flexible material coiled on itself and having its ends disposed in lapped relation, loop-form retainers affixed to the terminals of the strip for maintaining said ends in lapped relation and against separation while permitting said ends to slide relatively to each other whereby the collar is adjustable as to size, a retainer afiixed to the strip intermediate its ends, said retainers being each provided with an in-bent horizontal tab, and said tabs being adapted to bear on and clamp a cover flat against the rim of a bowl and to support the collar at spaced points along its periphery.

2. An adjustable collar for bowl covers cornprising an elongate strip of flexible material coiled on itself and having its ends disposed in lapped relation, retainers afiixed to the terminals of the strip for maintaining said ends in lapped relation and against separation while permitting said ends to slide relatively to each other whereby the collar is adjustable as to size, a retainer affixed to the strip intermediate its ends, said retainers each comprising a body portion in the form of a vertically elongated, closed-bottom loop having an angled extension forming a horizontal tab which extends inwardly over the open end of the loop thereby to close the same, said tabs being adapted to bear on and clamp a cover fiat against the rim of a bowl and also providing a means for sup-porting the collar from the bowl rim.

3. An adjustable collar for bowl covers comprising an elongate strip of flexible material coiled on itself and having its ends disposed in lapped relation, retainers aflixed to the terminals of the strip for maintaining said ends in lapped relation and against separation while permitting said ends to slide relatively to each other whereby the collar is adjustable as to size, a retainer affixed to the strip intermediate its ends, said retainers each comprising a body portion in the form of a vertically elongated, closed-bottom loop providing a strip-receiving channel, the legs of the loops of the end retainers being spaced to provide a retaining and slide channel for the lapped ends of the strip, one leg of all said loops having an angled extension forming a horizontal tab which extends inwardly over the open end of the loop thereby to close the same, said tabs being adapted to bear on and clamp a cover flat against the rim of a bowl and also providing a means for supporting the collar from the bowl nm.

4. An adjustable collar for bowl covers comprising an elongate strip of flexible material coiled on itself and having its ends disposed in lapped relation, retainers afiixed to the terminals of the strip for maintaining said ends in lapped relation and against separation while permitting said ends to slide relatively to each other whereby the collar is adjustable as to size, said retainers each comprising a body portion in the form of a vertically elongated loop, the outer leg of the outer-end retainer loop being secured to the outer end of the strip, and a length of rubber tubing positioned about the inner leg of said cuter-end retainer and providing a friction surface engaging against the underlying end of the strip and frictionally securing the lapped ends in the relative positions to which they have been adjusted.

CLAUDE H. THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 22,369 Jefiery Dec. 21, 1858 134 052 Gurley Dec. 17, 1872 233,186 Ballou Oct. 12, 1880 503,841 Fitler Aug. 22, 1893 587,280 Converse July 27, 189'? 730,827 Howden June 9, 1903 928,392 Markham July 20, 1909 1,512,875 Byam Oct. 21, 1924 1,693,240 Lampert Nov. 27, 1928 1,787,202 Kendall Dec. 30, 1930 2,146,190 Luke 1 Feb. 7, 1939 2,331,390 Gustafson Oct. 12, 1943 2,455,760 Gustafson Dec. 7, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 671,146 France Dec. 9, 1929 507,681 Germany Sept. 19, 1930 446,669 Great Britain Apr. 29, 1935 

